caduceus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an insignia used by the medical profession; modeled after the staff of Hermes

WordNet

Ca*du"ce*us noun
Etymology
L. caduceum, caduceus; akin to Gr. a herald's wand, fr. herald.
Definitions
  1. (Myth.) The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.

Webster 1913